S. K. Bhagavan

Srinivasa Krishna Iyengar Bhagwan (Kannada: ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಅಯ್ಯಂಗಾರ್ ಭಾಗವನ್), known popularly as S. K. Bhagavan was an Indian veteran film director, producer and actor Kannada cinema. He, with Dorairaj known as the duo Dorai-Bhagavan directed 55 films in Kannada, most of which stars Rajkumar in the lead role and were highly successful at box-office. Of the 55 films they directed, 23 were based on novels.Dorai Bhagawan have made movies catering to family audiences and are reputed to have never accommodated double-entendre, vulgarity or poor taste in their movies. Bhagawan is also serving as long time principal ofAdarsha Film Institute, Bangalore.

Bhagavan was born in Brahmin Iyengar family on 3 July 1933. He completed his schooling in Bangalore High school. In his young age he was acting on stage dramas with Hirannaiah mithra mandali. He started his film career as an assistant to Kanagal Prabhakar Shastri in 1956 through the film Bhagyodaya. He then went on to direct his debut movie Sandhya Raaga in 1966 with another director by name M.C Narasimhamurthy and later he directed Jedara Bale along with Rajkumar as Director duo Dorai-Bhagavan. Thus becoming first directors to make James Bond style movies in Kannada. Then the director duo went on directing great movies like Kasturi Nivasa, Eradu Kanasu, Bayalu dhari, Gaali Mathu, Chandayana Gombe, Hosa Belaku, Benkiya Bale, Jeevana Chaitra and more bond style movies such as Goa dalli C.I.D 999, Operation Jackpot C.I.D 999 and Operation diamond racket. Apart from Rajkumar, the director duo directed many movies with actors Ananth Nag and Lakshmi.

After the death of Dorairaj, Bhagavan has stayed away from silver-screen. The last film the duo directed was Mangalya Bhandana in 1993. He with Dorairaj has directed 30 films of Dr Rajkumar. This showed the mutual understanding between them and he was also close to Dr Raj's family.

Although he has directed many movies with the name Dorai-Bhagavan, their works are partially recognised. The duo has won Puttanna Kanagal Award from State Government of Karnataka for the year 1995–96. and an inaugural Dr Rajakumar Souhardha award in the year 2010. He has mentioned in an interview that his life was fulfilled by receiving such highly respected award.

Now he is currently the principal of Adarsha Film Institute and is away from direction leading a retired life.

He along with Dorai has directed number of films. Apart from Directing movies S.K Bhagavan has also acted some movies like Hosa belaku, Bhagyodaya, Mangala soothra, Rowdy Ranganna, Vasantha Geetha, Soothradhara and Bangalore Mail. He has mostly worked with music director duo Rajan-Nagendra for most of his films.

Note*: This is a partial filmography. You can expand it.

 Novel By Bharati suta